The Very Reverend Neil Collings

The Very Reverend Neil Collings, who died on June 26 aged 63, was Dean of St
Edmundsbury Cathedral between 2006 and 2009; what promised to be an
outstanding ministry in Suffolk was cut short in 2008 by a disabling brain
tumour from which he never recovered.

His energy, enthusiasm and charm made a considerable impact. A member of the cathedral congregation said: "He came in our midst like a knight on a charger." Although the great Millennium tower had recently been erected, to universal acclaim, certain legal problems required attention; and the crypt, the cloisters and the chapel of the Transfiguration awaited completion.

Collings took all this in hand, making good use of his experience as treasurer of Exeter Cathedral, and before long the Archbishop of Canterbury was in Bury St Edmunds to consecrate the entire scheme. The new Dean had an unusual flair for making dignified traditional events seem also rather fun, so it was a deep disappointment when declining health made it impossible for him to take part in the 2009 Royal Maundy Service, which he had planned with meticulous care. He was, however, greatly moved when the Queen visited him in the Deanery afterwards.

Neil Collings was born in Torquay on August 26 1946. He felt drawn to Holy Orders from an early age and went from the local grammar school to King's College London to read Theology. He completed his training at St Augustine's College, Canterbury.

From 1970 to 1974 he served in the three parishes of the Exmouth team ministry, first as a curate, then as a team vicar. His love of music, fine resonant voice and concern for well-ordered worship next took him to Westminster Abbey as a chaplain. He was there for five years, involved in the planning and leading of services, and became a popular figure in the precincts.

In 1979 he was appointed rector of St Nicholas Church, Hereford, a post combined with that of Director of Ordinands and of Post-ordination Training in the diocese. He also served for four years as the Bishop's chaplain and became a prebendary of Hereford Cathedral – substantial responsibilities for a priest in his mid-30s. He proved to be highly effective in all roles.

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Seeking wider, urban parochial experience, Collings moved in 1986 to become rector of St Nicholas Church, Harpenden – a large parish in a prosperous London commuter zone. This suited him well, and for 13 years he exercised an influential ministry, marked by high-quality worship, good preaching and much sensitive pastoral work. He was appointed an honorary canon of St Albans Abbey in 1996.

Three years later he returned to his home diocese to become a canon residentiary and treasurer of Exeter Cathedral. This involved special responsibility for the cathedral's fabric, as well as its finances.

Besides overseeing the routine restoration of the building, his deep interest in the arts led to the involvement of contemporary artists in the introduction of modern blue glass and sculpture, together with regular exhibitions.

He is especially remembered in Exeter for his involvement in the city's Community Initiative – an umbrella organisation for helping the homeless, drug addicts and alcoholics – as well as for his care of the sick and the dying. Generous hospitality was another feature of his work and he was greatly inspired by Archbishop Michael Ramsey, who became one of his closest friends.

When the Deanery of Exeter fell vacant in 2004, Collings served as Acting Dean for 13 months – a period in which the congregation was galvanised in preparation for the launch of a £9 million appeal; other steps were taken – including, to his regret, the charging of entrance fees – to secure the cathedral's general financial health.

Collings was ideally suited to the Deanery of St Edmundsbury Cathedral and for two idyllic years gave himself devotedly to the vibrant development of its worship, winning the admiration of all who shared the task with him. The diagnosis of a brain tumour was a cruel blow, and the Service of Celebration of his ministry in the cathedral last September was an emotionally-charged farewell to a caring priest who had himself become entirely dependent on the care of others. He was unmarried.